Ryan Pressly Retires: A Closer Who Delivered When It Mattered Most
When the Houston Astros needed a steady hand in the late innings, Ryan Pressly was often the one they turned to. Now, after a rollercoaster final chapter to his career, the two-time All-Star is calling it a day.
Pressly officially announced his retirement following a season that didn’t go the way he-or anyone, really-had hoped. After being traded to the Chicago Cubs last offseason, the veteran right-hander struggled to find his footing in the National League.
He was released after the trade deadline and chose not to sign with another club. Instead, he steps away from the game with a legacy firmly cemented in Houston.
“Hoisting that World Series trophy in 2022, that’s something I always dreamed of,” Pressly said in a farewell statement. “I’ll carry that joy forever.
Houston, you’ve got our hearts - it’s our forever home now. Thank you.”
And what a run it was.
From the moment he arrived in Houston in 2018, Pressly became a fixture in the Astros' bullpen. Over seven seasons, he posted a 2.81 ERA and racked up 111 saves, but numbers only tell part of the story. Pressly was more than just a stat line-he was the guy the Astros trusted when the stakes were highest.
His defining moment came during the 2022 postseason, a run that solidified his place in franchise lore. Across 11 appearances that October, Pressly allowed just one unearned run and struck out 13 batters.
He was nearly untouchable, and when Game 6 of the World Series rolled around, it was Pressly who got the ball in the ninth with the championship on the line. He shut the door, clinching the title and etching his name into Houston history.
That 2022 campaign was arguably the last time we saw Pressly at his peak. He remained effective in 2023, notching 31 saves, but his 3.58 ERA was the highest he’d posted since putting on an Astros uniform.
The front office took notice, and ahead of the 2024 season, they made a splash by signing Josh Hader. With Hader stepping into the closer role and Bryan Abreu emerging as a high-leverage weapon, Pressly was shifted into a setup position.
His final season in Houston saw a dip in velocity and strikeout rate, and with the bullpen evolving around him, the Astros made the tough call to move on. Pressly was traded to the Cubs in what was essentially a salary dump.
Unfortunately, the change of scenery didn’t spark a resurgence. He finished his lone season in Chicago with a 4.35 ERA over 44 outings-far from the dominance Astros fans had grown accustomed to.
Still, those final numbers won’t define Pressly’s career. He was a rock for Houston during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. From clutch playoff performances to regular-season consistency, Pressly delivered in the moments that mattered most.
He may not have gone out on top, but in Houston, Ryan Pressly will always be remembered as a closer who came through when the lights were brightest.